Antique Tools Value

Whether you have antique tools to sell, are adding to a collection or love the feel of working with antique tools, knowing how to determine an antique tool’s value is essential.

Learn more about antique hand tools

Antique tools are valued by many collectors as a classic category of antiques. These collectors feel that an antique tool of good quality and condition rarely depreciates.

It is not unusual to find old tools that are far superior to those made today. Hobbyists and professional craftspeople are often found among collectors as many of them prefer using the tools of yesteryear in their work. Many skilled woodworkers love the feel of antique Stanley woodworking tools because of the high quality of workmanship used in their construction.

The quality of a tool is also important to collectors that do not have any interest in using their finds. These collectors appreciate the quality of the tool from an aesthetic viewpoint as they scour antique stores, garage sales and flea markets hoping to find antique Stanley tools, or old tools from other companies, to add to their collections.

The value of antique tools, like the value of all antiques and collectibles, vary greatly based on four main criteria.

The rarity of an antique tool has a great effect on the tool’s value. Two examples of rare Stanley planes are the #12 3/4 and the #212. Collectors should be aware that there are forgeries of many rare tools. To learn more about spotting forgeries and reproductions of antique tools, visit Blood and Gore by Patrick Leach.

A tool’s rarity and its condition are often interrelated. The condition of an antique tool affects its value regardless of the rarity of the tool. For example, a tool that is rare and in very poor condition is generally not going to be as valuable as a common tool in excellent condition.

An excellent resource used by many antique tool collectors to determine the condition of a tool is the The Fine Tool Journal Classification System. This system has a list of criteria that classifies a tool into one of seven categories ranging from ‘‘new’’ to poor. Tool Timer provides a copy of this system within the article A Beginner’s Guide to Collecting Antique Tools from Union Hill Antiques Tools.

It is often said in the world of antiques that each piece has four distinct values.

• The price the owner thinks it is worth.
• The price the buyer would like to pay.
• The price listed in a Price Guide
• The actual selling price

Antique tool sellers know that the tool has to be something a buyer wants to collect. The selling price of a tool may not be as much as the listed book value if it is not desirable or in demand.

Knowing the history of ownership, or provenance, of an antique tool often adds monetary value to the item especially if the tool belonged to an early craftsman or other known personality. Initials, or a person’s name, on an antique tool also adds value. In the case of most antiques, such as dinnerware or silver, a monogram or a name usually lowers the value of the piece.

• Murlands Antique Tool Value Guide - Identification & Valuation by Tony Murland includes detailed pricing information, period engravings and photographs.
• T he Antique Tool Collector's Guide to Value by Ronald S. Barlow has thousands of illustrations and pictures to help with tool identification.
• Prices found in A Price Guide to Antique Tools by Herbert P. Kean are determined by general market trends and factoring in the prices of recent Internet sales and auction values.
• Antique Tool Values by Martin J Donnelly

• Union Hill Antique Tools
• Antique Buyer Larry and Carole Meeker
• Old Woodworking Tools by Sam Allen includes a great number of additional resource links

Although collecting antique tools is an interesting and enjoyable hobby, being aware of the factors that affect an antique tool’s value makes it even more rewarding..

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